Health officials have declared victory over a shigellosis outbreak that has made nearly 2,000 Tristate residents ill since March 2001.

        “The number of shigellosis cases has significantly decreased since early 2001,” said Cincinnati Health Commissioner Malcolm Adcock. “In fact, the number of cases are what we consider baseline.“

        About 2,000 cases were recorded in Greater Cincinnati since early 2001, Dr. Adcock said, compared with 15 for all of 2000.

        Health officials called the Tristate outbreak one of the biggest in the nation.

        In Cincinnati, additional temporary nurses assisting with the outbreak were let go last month, he said, and other nurses have been reassigned.

        The health department, with the added help, sought to contain the epidemic with a massive public-education campaign that stressed the importance of hand washing. The campaign was targeted at day cares, schools and parents.

        Shigellosis causes stomach cramps, fever and diarrhea. In most cases, the illness lasts four to seven days and can be treated with antibiotics.

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